Ask Dr. Taz MD: Do Relaxation Drinks Live Up To The Hype?

Q: Do those new relaxation drinks really calm you down and reduce stress?

A: Relaxation drinks with names like Just Chill and Neuro Bliss sound like they must be Valium in a can, and the truth is, many people do say they feel more relaxed or calm about half an hour after drinking them. A likely reason: the blend of herbs, supplements, botanicals, and amino acids they contain, which previously have been used individually as calming agents.

Chances are you’ve already tried to drink away stress—perhaps with a beer, a glass of wine, or a martini. Or maybe you prefer tea. If you’re a Downton Abbey fan, you know that a cup of tea is the British solution to all life’s troubles (especially when you prepare it perfectly, like this). The key may be theanine, an anxiety-reducing chemical in tea that seems to offset its stimulating caffeine. Not surprisingly, theanine is one of a number of ingredients in most chill-out beverages.

Other things you might find in the ingredient list of your favorite antistress drink: valerian root, an herb that treats insomnia and calms gastrointestinal distress; 5-HTP, a byproduct of the amino acid tryptophan, which increases production of the feel-good chemical serotonin in the brain; GABA, a calming neurotransmitter; and melatonin, the sleep hormone.

No scientific studies confirm how well these ingredients work together, but as an occasional stress reliever, beverages containing them may be worth a try. Just to be on the safe side, though, don’t drive or operate heavy machinery after drinking one.